M.I.A.’s \u201cPaper Planes\u201d samples \u201cStraight to Hell\u201d by British punk band The Clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The original recording appeared on The Clash’s 1982 album Combat Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M.I.A. and producer Diplo used part of its distinctive instrumental arrangement as the musical foundation for \u201cPaper Planes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the connection goes deeper than a familiar melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both recordings explore subjects connected with immigration, identity and the way societies treat people considered outsiders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That gives the sample an unusually strong relationship with the newer song’s meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The distinctive guitar and instrumental passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s immediately recognisable when the recordings are played consecutively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The original Clash song has a slower, atmospheric arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M.I.A.’s version incorporates the musical material into a different rhythmic environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new production is associated with hip-hop, electronic music and global pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The underlying sample remains recognisable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the listening experience changes completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An English punk-rock band formed in London during the 1970s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its classic lineup included Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group became famous for combining punk energy with a broad range of musical influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their catalogue includes \u201cLondon Calling\u201d, \u201cShould I Stay or Should I Go\u201d and \u201cRock the Casbah\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Clash were also interested in social and political subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That makes \u201cStraight to Hell\u201d particularly relevant to M.I.A.’s later recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The song explores displacement, immigration and the consequences of political and economic decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its lyrics reference people struggling to belong within societies that may reject them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The musical arrangement is relatively restrained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That gives the subject a particularly haunting character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s very different from the fast, aggressive punk music some listeners associate with The Clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recording demonstrates the band’s willingness to explore other musical traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A British musician of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her music combines hip-hop, electronic production and international musical influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She became internationally successful through recordings including \u201cGalang\u201d, \u201cBucky Done Gun\u201d, \u201cPaper Planes\u201d and \u201cBad Girls\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her work frequently explores identity, immigration and political conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That makes the relationship between \u201cPaper Planes\u201d and \u201cStraight to Hell\u201d particularly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sample connects two artists interested in similar subjects from different historical perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It appeared on M.I.A.’s second studio album Kala in 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recording subsequently became a major international hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its wider commercial breakthrough developed during 2008.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The combination of an accessible musical hook and unusual production helped it reach audiences beyond M.I.A.’s original fanbase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diplo worked on the recording alongside Dave Taylor, known professionally as Switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M.I.A. has explained that Diplo suggested using The Clash sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group then developed the production around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her vocal performance was relatively spontaneous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She later described recording the main vocal quickly rather than spending an enormous amount of time perfecting every detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That immediacy became part of the recording’s personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gunshots and cash-register sound are among the song’s most recognisable features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M.I.A. has described them as a satirical response to negative stereotypes about immigrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was experiencing difficulties connected with obtaining permission to work in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That frustration influenced the writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound effects exaggerate the idea that outsiders arrive only to cause trouble or take money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recording deliberately presents those stereotypes in an absurd musical form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not in a straightforward literal sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a satirical song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M.I.A. explores the way immigrants and refugees can be portrayed as threatening or exploitative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gunshot sounds exaggerate that portrayal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But listeners can enjoy the recording without initially recognising the political argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s part of its unusual effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The music sounds playful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The subject is considerably more serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the original musical material worked rhythmically and emotionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Clash were also associated with socially engaged songwriting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their recording already explored issues connected with migration and exclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M.I.A. placed that material inside a new song reflecting her own experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result became more than a random sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It created a historical relationship between two recordings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recording gained additional recognition through film and trailer placements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It became strongly associated with the 2008 film Pineapple Express through its trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also appeared on the soundtrack associated with Slumdog Millionaire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those placements introduced M.I.A.’s music to audiences who might not normally follow alternative electronic pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternative hip-hop, electronic pop and experimental pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recording also incorporates influences from reggae and other musical traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its relatively slow rhythm distinguishes it from some of M.I.A.’s more aggressive tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The familiar sample provides an accessible melodic foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That helped the recording become an international hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sample uses part of an existing recording inside a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cover involves performing a previously written composition again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPaper Planes\u201d uses existing recorded material from The Clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It isn’t simply M.I.A. performing \u201cStraight to Hell\u201d with a different arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That distinction helps explain the creative relationship between the two tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n